Scott Stoness wrote:
I pre-ordered. the 200-400. Advice was stock may be available in late may and I am within the first 20 preorders for Canada but its not clear how many are going to come to Canada in late may.

Petkal probably has 10 of these pre-ordered with all his calls to dealers in Ontario so maybe 20 means 10.

My rationale is:
1) I am not pro but I want it. I can afford it. I will sell my 500 v1 thats just collecting dust with my 600 usually in my car.
2) Some guys have affairs at my age in costs them millions
3) Some guys buy porches/lambordinies and they depreciate by $100 just as they drive them off the lot
4) Some guys spend $30k on trips to shoot and stuff a bear.
5) My wife bought a watch that was more expensive than this 6 months ago. I suspect her earrings are more too.

hehe I like the way you think Scott actually I should move to Canon. I can get this lens and the 800mm (or 600mm plus 1.4) for just a few Ks more than the nikon 800mm

Scott Stoness wrote:
I pre-ordered. the 200-400. Advice was stock may be available in late may and I am within the first 20 preorders for Canada but its not clear how many are going to come to Canada in late may.

Petkal probably has 10 of these pre-ordered with all his calls to dealers in Ontario so maybe 20 means 10.

My rationale is:
1) I am not pro but I want it. I can afford it. I will sell my 500 v1 thats just collecting dust with my 600 usually in my car.
2) Some guys have affairs at my age in costs them millions
3) Some guys buy porches/lambordinies and they depreciate by $100 just as they drive them off the lot
4) Some guys spend $30k on trips to shoot and stuff a bear.
5) My wife bought a watch that was more expensive than this 6 months ago. I suspect her earrings are more too.

Scott Stoness wrote:
I pre-ordered. the 200-400. Advice was stock may be available in late may and I am within the first 20 preorders for Canada but its not clear how many are going to come to Canada in late may.

Petkal probably has 10 of these pre-ordered with all his calls to dealers in Ontario so maybe 20 means 10.

Scott, I am sure you will enjoy the lens. Hell, we are only given this one chance to play on this Earth.
Incidentally, I have none on order because life is not easy on government pension benefits.

PetKal wrote:
Scott, I am sure you will enjoy the lens. Hell, we are only given this one chance to play on this Earth.
Incidentally, I have none on order because life is not easy on government pension benefits.

That's why I am not retiring - it would cut into my lifestyle. Plus the kid in local college, girl taking architecture in Montana State, girl taking business at U Texas, and my 16 old son who says he wants to go to U Texas and be an orthodontist.

Scott Stoness wrote:
I pre-ordered. the 200-400. Advice was stock may be available in late may and I am within the first 20 preorders for Canada but its not clear how many are going to come to Canada in late may.

Petkal probably has 10 of these pre-ordered with all his calls to dealers in Ontario so maybe 20 means 10.

My rationale is:
1) I am not pro but I want it. I can afford it. I will sell my 500 v1 thats just collecting dust with my 600 usually in my car.
2) Some guys have affairs at my age in costs them millions
3) Some guys buy porches/lambordinies and they depreciate by $100 just as they drive them off the lot
4) Some guys spend $30k on trips to shoot and stuff a bear.
5) My wife bought a watch that was more expensive than this 6 months ago. I suspect her earrings are more too.

Scott Stoness wrote:
That's why I am not retiring - it would cut into my lifestyle. Plus the kid in local college, girl taking architecture in Montana State, girl taking business at U Texas, and my 16 old son who says he wants to go to U Texas and be an orthodontist.
Good Golly! You must own your own oil well. lol

Luckily I never photograph football players 'in action' at minimum focusing distance. Though I've seen a few TV guys hold onto the shot for a wee bit too long, with spectacular (for the fans) consequences...

Scott - add me to the list. I also ordered. We'll see how long it takes to arrive, but hopefully before football gets underway.... looks like it's time to sell the 600...

I've been told it will be somewhat less than the 600II but over $10K... As for the cost of the 600:

arbitrage wrote:
Vistek lists the official 600II price at 12,599.99. Although every store has sold it at around 11,395 since its release. The CPS price on it is $10,700. So I would guess probably the exact same price for the 200-400.

I believe pricing is now available and you should be able to get a correct quote by contacting a Canon pro shop...

rscheffler wrote:
Luckily I never photograph football players 'in action' at minimum focusing distance.Pixel Perfect wrote:
Ermm in what universe would you think that was my concern, unless the players are very very tiny.

Sorry, I guess my attempt at being humourous was a failure. My point being, the majority of what I expect to shoot with this lens, based on how I've used the 300/400/600 primes, is of subject matter more in the 15-40m range where this 'focus breathing' or decrease in focal length should be minimal. Granted, some will want to use the lens for small object photography, such as small birds/animals, and the decrease in focal length might be a concern.

rscheffler wrote:
Sorry, I guess my attempt at being humourous was a failure. My point being, the majority of what I expect to shoot with this lens, based on how I've used the 300/400/600 primes, is of subject matter more in the 15-40m range where this 'focus breathing' or decrease in focal length should be minimal. Granted, some will want to use the lens for small object photography, such as small birds/animals, and the decrease in focal length might be a concern.

I know I use my 100-400L near mfd plenty of times, for insects, flowers and even small birds even though it's mostly used at much longer distances. It was just an observation how poor this uber expensive lens was in that regime, needing the 1.4x in place just to match the bare 100-400L and in that case you are at the same max aperture.

First, I'd like to say that although I have always been a Nikon shooter, I think Canon is an excellent system. I was thinking of switching over, but the only reason I didn't was that I was waiting for the 200-400. I have the Nikon 200-400, and it's an amazing lens. Tack sharp even with a converter. I really feel sorry for all you Canon shooters that have waited so long for this lens, only to pay almost double for it. I'm sure it's a super piece of glass. But for that kind of money, I can almost buy two Nikon 200-400's and leave the converter on one of them at all times. For those of you that are going to buy this lens, I'm sure you will enjoy it. I wish you all the best.